Promotion/Protection of Cultural, Religious & Ling. Communities Rights Commission Bill: delib

PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
12 February 2002
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME FOR 2002

Chairperson: Mr Y Carrim

Documents handed out:
None

SUMMARY
The Committee outlined the legislation that is to be considered during the course of the year. Three new members from the ANC, NNP and UDM introduced themselves to the committee.

MINUTES
There were a number of important Bills which will be completed this year. Firstly, the S185 Bill: Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities Bill. The issues raised by the AEB still require the ANC's consideration. The Chairperson suggested that it should be tabled in the House on 19 March 2002, as not much time for its deliberations was needed.

Secondly, the Disaster Management Bill, which needs close attention.

Thirdly, the Municipal Finance Bill, which has been given to the Finance Portfolio committee for consideration. The Finance Committee is going through the Bill very slowly. Chapter 11 is before Parliament, and requires constitutional amendments, which were referred back to the Executive last year. Therefore, Mr Carrim thought that the Bill would not be passed before June. They could not suspend their sittings every Tuesday. The target should be that 70% of the time the Finance Committee meets, the Local Government Committee would not sit.

Other Bills highlighted were the Property Rates Bill, which would be received around April. The Powers and Functions of Traditional Leaders Bill, which would be received around the second quarter of this year. The Local Government Laws Amendment Bill, which would be received around May, was constituted of legislation emanating from the Green and White papers on Traditional Leaders, as well as the constitutional amendments and the Municipal Structures Act.

There would be a study tour of municipalities this year. If the study tour had been scheduled for January there would have been a mere regurgitation of the issues that are already known. Therefore the visits should be scheduled for the second half of this year once the problems have been clearly identified and highlighted.

Pieter Uyse (NNP) asked whether there is merit in visiting the municipalities preceding the amendments to the Bill. Mr Carrim replied that that there are some amendments which are needed immediately, and some after the tours. He advised that immediate amendments were not needed, and it is better to schedule the tours for the third quarter of this year.

The chairperson highlighted the study tour to Spain, and reported that a draft report was completed and would be made available soon.

The meeting was adjourned.